Hydro Energy

Hydro power plants in Armenia

At present hydro resources are the most widely used among the renewable energy resources. Utilization of the whole hydro potential will be obtained by using the existing two major hydro power plants (HPP) cascades (Sevan-Hrazdan HPPs Cascade and Vorotan HPPs Cascade), construction of three new middle size HPPs and utilization of small HPPs potential. Currently among the large rivers still unused in regard to energy needs are the Debet River with its Dzoraget stream and the Araks Rive.

Construction of the Lori-Berd HPP (with around 60MW of installed capacity and 200 mln.Kw.h of annual energy production) on the Dzoraget river plays important role for the Armenian hydro energy sector development. In the years 2003-2004 the Fichtner Company has prepared the feasibility study for the above mentioned station.In the February, 2007 the mentioned Fichtner Company updated the price calculations for the project. Price increase is mostly attributed by equipment high prices.

The Lori-Berd HPP will be constructed in the northern part of Armenia, where does not exist huge production entities, which will strengthen the energy supply of the northern parts of the country, as well as will provide the energy system parallel operation of Armenia and Georgia.

It is foreseen to implement the Loriberd HPP construction by attracting private financial means.

The original design of the Shnokh HPP implemented by Armhydroenergy project is from 1966, which was updated in 1993. Construction of the Armanis reservoir with 130 mln.m3 capacity will allow to construct a power station with 120MW of the installed capacity and 460 mln.Kw.h annual energy production.

The head pond of Shnokh HPP will be constructed in the top of Debet River after the unification of Dzoraget and Pambak rivers. It is foreseen to correct the flow of Marts and Kistum steams on the derivation of Shnokh HPP.

The feasibility study of ''Meghri'' HPP is implemented by Iranian ‘'Mahab Ghods'' consulting company by order of Iranian Water and Energy Development Company. The feasibility study development of Meghri HPP was coordinated and controlled by Armenian-Iranian Joint Technical Committee. In accordance with the feasibility study established in 2008 it is forseen to construct 2 HPPs on the river Araks: Meghri HPP in Armenian side and Gharachilar HPP on Iranian side.

Megri HPP's main technical characteristics are as fallows:

Characteristics Indexes

Design discharge 160 m3/s

Design Power Capacity 100 (2х50) MW

Energy Production 793 mlnKw.h

Derivation length (tunnel) 18200 m

Tunnel Inner diameter 8.5 m

Design head 90 m

In the framework of the RA and IRI inter-governmental commissions activities it was decided to construct Meghri HPP and Gharachilar HPP with 100 MW installed capacity each, taking into the considerations the water resources new survey results.

Small HPPsinArmenia

Construction of small HPPs (SHPP) in Armenia is a leading course of action towards development of renewable energy sector and securing of energy independence in Armenia.

The majority of designed, under construction or operation SHPPs in RA are derivational stations on natural water flows.

As of the 1st of January 2017, and according to the provided licenses, 39 additional SHPPs are under the construction, with about total projected 74 MW capacity and 260 million kWh electricity annual supply.

In accordance with RA protocol decision N3 adopted on 22.01.2009 ''The scheme for the development of small hydro power plants'' was met with approval, according to which it is foreseen to construct a number of SHPPs.